THE POWER OF FRAGRANCE

How do you smell the world? This is not a question that is asked very often. We are more likely to focus on our ability to see the world, speak out about the world or listen to the stories the world is telling us. However, our ability to use scent as a tool for connection, inspiration and exploration is invaluable.

Making the Connection

There is something powerful in the way a smell can trigger our memory. Fragrance has the power to connect us to people and places in the past. A spritz of the Eau de Parfum favoured by a belated grandmother can reaffirm our bond with people who are no longer part of our present. A walk in the woods can take us back to our childhood when we climbed trees with no worry of falling. There are parts of ourselves with which we have lost touch. An olfactory journey can bridge those gaps in a way that looking at a photograph fails to do.

Chasing Adventure

Thanks to the artistry and commitment of key people in the fragrance industry, there is a small renaissance in perfumery. There is a move away from rampant commercialism of scents, towards bespoke blends made from high quality ingredients. STORIES by Eliza Grace is part of this revolution. From the grapefruit groves of Florida to the Bulgarian Rose fields, each ingredient in the collection takes the wearer on an adventure. One only has to read about the process by which rose petals are picked before sunrise and they will be transported to rows of dew-drenched flowers at dawn. The STORIES by Eliza Grace fragrances were carefully blended by a perfumer who has dedicated her life to the art of perfumery. The result is unique and balanced Eau de Parfums that highlight the artistry of those involved in their creation. Not only that, the fragrances invite the wearer to be part of the story as notes develop on the skin and take on a life of their own.

Lock and Key

When we inhale, an odour molecule travels into our nose, towards the mucous membrane. This membrane is located at the top of the airway either side of the nasal septum. This is where scent receptors are located. The odour molecule moves back and forth above the mucous membrane until it finds a receptor that matches it in shape and size. When it does, a message is sent by the olfactory nerve to the cerebrum in the brain. This process has been labelled ‘Lock and Key Theory’. This olfactory message then passes into the limbic system where cognitive recognition takes place and either a positive or negative association occurs.

For example, you enjoy the smell of fresh orange because your mother juiced oranges at the weekend for a special treat. Your friend comes to stay and recoils at the scent because of a vomiting bug she experienced that was made worse with orange juice. These experiences forge our unique olfactory identity. Therefore, the odours with which we positively connect are part of our core identity. This will influence the type of fragrance to which you are drawn. It also suggests that there will be a perfect fragrance for you. The ingredients will be keys that unlock positive associations, reflect your personality and contribute to your sense of happiness.

The Power of Fragrance

It could be argued that smell is the most intimate of our five senses. When we view our olfactory journey in this way it completely changes the way in which we smell the world. It also affects how we buy perfume. Consider the story behind the fragrance you wear. Is it authored by experts in the industry who have a passion for perfume? Is it crafted from high-quality ingredients? Does the smell move you? Is it a story you want to be part of?